Propertywide Wi-Fi Networks Winning Out Over Leaving Residents to Their Own Devices

Managed high-speed Wi-Fi networks that provide an Internet connection for multifamily residents and devices everywhere on the property are quickly becoming the favored solution for multifamily Wi-Fi. Traditionally, properties have allowed phone and cable companies to market and deliver services directly to residents. But not surprisingly, this has come with a lot of inefficiencies. “You have a couple of hundred people contracting individually with various providers, when really they all want the same thing: a fast, reliable way to access the Internet, run their smart devices and make Wi-Fi phone calls while they’re at home,” says Henry Pye, VP of Resident Technology Services at RealPage. “A single, managed Wi-Fi system providing high-speed Internet access on a bulk basis gives them each a private, secure personal area network within a more efficient and reliable shared system.” Pye adds that the situation is made even more complex by the increasing profusion of devices that tap into the Internet – including vending machines with credit card readers, fitness equipment, cameras, and in-unit IoT devices. “Developers simply can’t afford to run separate networks for all these things,” explains Pye. “And the signals from hundreds of resident Wi-Fi access points crash into and interfere with each other.” A managed high-speed Internet access solution provides a personal area network for individual unit residents, roaming access for network users, a guest network for non-residents and access for on-site staff, as well as the backbone for a core smart community solution. It enables a community-wide connected lifestyle that enriches the resident experience while giving the management team opportunities to reduce expenses and add revenue streams.  “The percentage of properties turning to shared, managed networks has been growing steadily over the past 3 years,” Pye remarks. “Over 80% a...